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DIVERSITY AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF VASCULAR EPIPHYTES ON A MALAYSIAN MANGROVE ISLAND Rohani, Shahrudin; Lee, Fei Lin; Yusoff, Abdul Shukor
BIOTROPIA Vol. 27 No. 2 (2020): BIOTROPIA Vol. 27 No. 2 August 2020
Publisher : SEAMEO BIOTROP

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.11598/btb.2020.27.2.1182

Abstract

Many studies have attempted to explain the diversity and abundance of epiphytic plants in major ecosystems worldwide. However, investigations on the abundance of epiphytic plants in mangroves have remained rare. The aim of this research was to study the diversity and vertical distribution of vascular epiphytes in a mangrove forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Sampling was conducted over a 0.1-hectare plot on Pulau Telaga Tujuh, a mangrove island in Terengganu, Malaysia. Trees with vascular epiphytes were divided into three strata: basal, trunk, and canopy. The vascular epiphytes were identified, and the number of individuals in each stratum was recorded. In total, eight species of vascular epiphytes from six genera and four families were recorded. Pulau Telaga Tujuh mangrove forest exhibited a relatively low diversity of vascular epiphytes (H' = 1.43). The dominance of Hydnophytum formicarium significantly contributed to the diversity of vascular epiphytes in this forest. The highest abundance of epiphytes was observed on the trunks of the host trees. The vertical distribution pattern observed in this study is associated with the adaptation of epiphytic plants to stresses in the mangrove ecosystem, particularly drought and salt spray. Pulau Telaga Tujuh had a high density of vascular epiphytes but lower diversity compared with other ecosystems.
LIMITED SEED DISPERSAL MAY SHAPE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF Hydnophytum formicarum Jack. POPULATIONS IN MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM Yusoff, Abdul Shukor; Wan Omar, Wan Bayani; Rohani, Shahrudin
BIOTROPIA Vol. 27 No. 2 (2020): BIOTROPIA Vol. 27 No. 2 August 2020
Publisher : SEAMEO BIOTROP

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (585.531 KB) | DOI: 10.11598/btb.2020.27.2.1198

Abstract

Hydnophytum formicarum is an epiphytic plant commonly distributed throughout Southeast Asia. However, its distribution is currently declining due to forest fragmentation and the subsequent habitat changes, which may have also affected the genetic structure of H. formicarum populations. Hence, this study aimed to understand the genetic variation and differentiation within and among populations of this species. Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, the genetic variation and genetic differentiation among three populations were assessed to identify potential conservation management strategies for this species in the mangrove ecosystem in Malaysia. Ten highly reproducible primers were used in the population analysis, resulting in a total of 221 discernible fragments. Genetic variation among populations was high at 98% polymorphic fragments. AMOVA showed significant genetic differentiation among the populations (PT = 0.554, p ≤ 0.001), with pairwise genetic distances between the populations ranging from 0.495 to 0.589. PCoA clustering analysis separated the populations according to their geographical locations. The high genetic variation within populations, high genetic differentiation between populations, and clear separation in the cluster analysis indicate restricted seed dispersal of the species.